Genetic parameters for milk, fat and protein yields in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis Artiodactyla, Bovidae)

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for test-day milk, fat and protein yields and 305-day-yields in Murrah buffaloes. 4,757 complete lactations of Murrah buffaloes were analyzed. Co-variance components were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood method. The models included additive direct genetic and permanent environmental effects as random effects, and the fixed effects of contemporary group, milking number and age of the cow at calving as linear and quadratic covariables. Contemporary groups were defined by herd-year-month of test for test-day yields and by herd-year-season of calving for 305-day yields. The heritability estimates obtained by two-trait analysis ranged from 0.15 to 0.24 for milk, 0.16 to 0.23 for protein and 0.13 to 0.22 for fat, yields. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were all positive. The observed population additive genetic variation indicated that selection might be an effective tool in changing population means in milk, fat and protein yields.

Molecular characterisation of the buffaloSCAPgene and its association with milk production traits in water buffaloes

“…1b), meaning that the trend of SCAP expression was descendent in the lactation period. Aspilcueta-Borquis et al (2010) reported the trend was similar to the typical lactation curve in Murrah buffalo, with higher means in early lactation. These trends are similar to those reported in Holstein cows (Swalve, 1995).…”

Parameters of lactation shape as related to days-in-milk in buffaloes from two different farming systems

“…shows that, except for the first three tendays, the curve of the long lactations (306-365 days) resembles that of the average normal lactation curve. However, that of the very long lactations (>365 days) is different -a peak in the fourth tenday with milk yield in it by 10% lower than in average normal lactation, and relative rate of decline within only 3.9%, compared to 5.9% in 306-365-day lactations.The normal lactation curve in this study is principally different from those established in the breeds Nili-Ravi(Khan and Chaudhry, 2001), Murrah(Aspilcueta- Borquis et al, 2010;Singh et al, 2015), Mediterranean…”

Selection strategies for dairy buffaloes: economic and genetic consequences

“…Brazilian buffalo production must increase its efficiency and productivity to attend market demands. Recent studies have shown that buffaloes have significant genetic potential for both production and reproductive traits (Aspilcueta‐Borquis et al. 2010a,b,c; Galeazzi et al.…”